Western Africa: Expanded Clays Market 2024

Expanded Clays Market Size in Western Africa

The West African expanded clays market fell modestly to $X in 2021, leveling off at the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption showed a abrupt curtailment. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Expanded Clays Production in Western Africa

In value terms, expanded clays production contracted modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production recorded a abrupt decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 41% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Expanded Clays Exports

Exports in Western Africa

In 2021, expanded clays exports in Western Africa reduced to X tons, with a decrease of -6.7% on the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, exports faced a dramatic contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 675% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, expanded clays exports fell markedly to $X in 2021. In general, exports continue to indicate a significant decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 736%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Sierra Leone dominates exports structure, resulting at X tons, which was approx. 92% of total exports in 2021. The following exporters - Nigeria (X kg) and Togo (X kg) - each reached a 6.6% share of total exports.

Exports from Sierra Leone decreased at an average annual rate of -30.1% from 2012 to 2021. Nigeria (-24.9%) and Togo (-33.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Nigeria (+3.3 p.p.) and Togo (+3.2 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Sierra Leone saw its share reduced by -4.1% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, Sierra Leone ($X) remains the largest expanded clays supplier in Western Africa, comprising 86% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Nigeria ($X), with a 4.1% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Sierra Leone totaled -31.2%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Nigeria (-23.7% per year) and Togo (-49.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Western Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, with a decrease of -36.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 848% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton, and then dropped notably in the following year.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Nigeria ($X per ton), while Sierra Leone ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Nigeria (+1.5%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Expanded Clays Imports

Imports in Western Africa

For the third year in a row, Western Africa recorded growth in supplies from abroad of exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag, which increased by 14% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, imports posted a resilient increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 175% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

In value terms, expanded clays imports amounted to $X in 2021. Overall, imports saw strong growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when imports increased by 155%. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Nigeria dominates imports structure, amounting to X tons, which was near 85% of total imports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Ghana (X tons), generating a 6.4% share of total imports. Senegal (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Nigeria was also the fastest-growing in terms of the exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag imports, with a CAGR of +14.8% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Ghana (+13.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Senegal (-2.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Nigeria increased by +7.6 percentage points. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Nigeria ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag in Western Africa, comprising 75% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Ghana ($X), with an 11% share of total imports.

In Nigeria, expanded clays imports expanded at an average annual rate of +18.7% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Ghana (+15.7% per year) and Senegal (-9.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Western Africa amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -12.2% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the import price increased by 26%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Senegal ($X per ton), while Nigeria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Nigeria (+3.4%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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